Job summary
We are looking for applicants with good mechanical workshop skills with a positive and flexible attitude to join our team.
The Rehabilitation Engineering Department provides technical support to Oxfordshire Wheelchair service and the Specialist Disability Service at the Oxford Centre for Enablement. We are an established manufacturer of custom contour seating and a specialist provider of mobile arm supports. We apply engineering principles and technology in the provision of services to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. The wheelchairs and seating systems we provide are individually specified prescriptions which frequently require custom made devices and modifications to enable independence. The post holder will be required to manufacture and set up equipment as well as providing support to the Rehabilitation Engineers.
To arrange an informal discussion or visit please contact Zoe Hadley, Rehabilitation Engineering team lead, at zoe.hadley@ouh.nhs.uk
Main duties of the job
The Technician will manufacture custom contour seating and wheelchair accessories in both milled foam and Lynx sheet either working to engineers' drawings or instructions.
The Technician will manufacture parts and components for stock as requested and will also maintain local components stock.
Training will be provided on our specific processes and manufacturing techniques.
Post holders are expected to be able to use a range of hand and power tools.
About us
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.
The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.
Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call thisDelivering Compassionate Excellenceand its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via theOUH YouTube channel.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Technician will manufacture custom contour seating in both milled foam and Lynx sheet either working to engineers drawings or instructions.
The Technician will manufacture parts and components for stock as requested and will also maintain local components stock.
- Comply with all health and Safety requirements
- Manufacture custom contour seating from Lynx and foam, working to engineers drawings or instructions. (including all elements of manufacture).
- Manufacture components for mobile arm supports and prepare mobile arm support kits for assessment and issue.
- Be responsible for monitoring and maintaining stock levels in the workshop areas. Communicate and work with staff in stores to ensure departmental stock levels in stores are maintained and highlight any issues with stock and suppliers.
- Source suppliers for parts and components.
- Manufacture and assemble components and parts for stock as requested using mechanical workshop skills.
- Monitor and maintain casting bags, performing regular checks and repairing damaged casting bags where possible.
- Produce patterns for upholstery work that will be outsourced to external companies.
- Communicate effectively with team members and external companies regarding technical and sensitive information.
- Upholstery work using a range of sewing machines and hand techniques.
- Assist Rehabilitation Engineering team members in clinics with technical work, assist with setting up equipment and assist with taking equipment to and from the clinic rooms and vans.
- Set up seating and accessories on wheelchairs working to instructions from the engineers and/or manufacturers instructions. This includes custom manufactured parts and third party components.
- Document work completed and contribute to technical files and patient records.
- Set up and operate the CNC machine to manufacture custom contoured seating as specified by a rehabilitation Engineer. Set up foam blocks, setup the CNC machine, check the toolpaths, remove foam blocks and clean CNC machine post machining.
- Contribute to servicing and maintenance of equipment.
- Maintain a schedule of work and diary appointments ensuring equipment is ready for planned appointments. Produce equipment to a commercial standard within tight deadlines.
- Assemble, manufacture and repair mechanical devices using hand tools and precision workshop machinery.
- Contribute to multi-disciplinary teams by discussing own and others input around clients needs. Communicate technical information whist taking account of the understanding of the target audience.
- Be conversant with commercially available Augmentative and Alternative Communication aids and mounting equipment and wheelchair and seating components. Be able to investigate, and rectify where possible, mechanical and electrical problems associated with non-standard equipment on issue.
- Have an understanding of disabling conditions and their implications on equipment prescription and use.
- Attend and contribute to in-service training.
- Equipment management activities and postural assessment will occasionally require the post holder to work in awkward positions.
- It will frequently be necessary to maintain concentration whilst responding to requests from staff and clients for technical support. The post will involve occasional exposure to noise and dust in workshops.
- Other roles requested as appropriate at this level.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Technician will manufacture custom contour seating in both milled foam and Lynx sheet either working to engineers drawings or instructions.
The Technician will manufacture parts and components for stock as requested and will also maintain local components stock.
- Comply with all health and Safety requirements
- Manufacture custom contour seating from Lynx and foam, working to engineers drawings or instructions. (including all elements of manufacture).
- Manufacture components for mobile arm supports and prepare mobile arm support kits for assessment and issue.
- Be responsible for monitoring and maintaining stock levels in the workshop areas. Communicate and work with staff in stores to ensure departmental stock levels in stores are maintained and highlight any issues with stock and suppliers.
- Source suppliers for parts and components.
- Manufacture and assemble components and parts for stock as requested using mechanical workshop skills.
- Monitor and maintain casting bags, performing regular checks and repairing damaged casting bags where possible.
- Produce patterns for upholstery work that will be outsourced to external companies.
- Communicate effectively with team members and external companies regarding technical and sensitive information.
- Upholstery work using a range of sewing machines and hand techniques.
- Assist Rehabilitation Engineering team members in clinics with technical work, assist with setting up equipment and assist with taking equipment to and from the clinic rooms and vans.
- Set up seating and accessories on wheelchairs working to instructions from the engineers and/or manufacturers instructions. This includes custom manufactured parts and third party components.
- Document work completed and contribute to technical files and patient records.
- Set up and operate the CNC machine to manufacture custom contoured seating as specified by a rehabilitation Engineer. Set up foam blocks, setup the CNC machine, check the toolpaths, remove foam blocks and clean CNC machine post machining.
- Contribute to servicing and maintenance of equipment.
- Maintain a schedule of work and diary appointments ensuring equipment is ready for planned appointments. Produce equipment to a commercial standard within tight deadlines.
- Assemble, manufacture and repair mechanical devices using hand tools and precision workshop machinery.
- Contribute to multi-disciplinary teams by discussing own and others input around clients needs. Communicate technical information whist taking account of the understanding of the target audience.
- Be conversant with commercially available Augmentative and Alternative Communication aids and mounting equipment and wheelchair and seating components. Be able to investigate, and rectify where possible, mechanical and electrical problems associated with non-standard equipment on issue.
- Have an understanding of disabling conditions and their implications on equipment prescription and use.
- Attend and contribute to in-service training.
- Equipment management activities and postural assessment will occasionally require the post holder to work in awkward positions.
- It will frequently be necessary to maintain concentration whilst responding to requests from staff and clients for technical support. The post will involve occasional exposure to noise and dust in workshops.
- Other roles requested as appropriate at this level.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Good English and maths.
- NVQ Level 2 Engineering
Desirable
- Qualification in engineering
- BTEC level 2 Engineering.
Experience
Essential
- oPractical approach to problem solving.
- oskilled in the use of hand held power tools independantly.
- oSkilled in the use of mechanical workshop equipment independently.
- oProven ability to manufacture or assemble components to tight deadlines.
Desirable
- Working with people with disabilities
- Understanding of disability issues
- oCompetent and experienced in the manufacture of foam and Lynx seating systems.
- oKnowledge of wheelchairs and seating components
Skills
Essential
- Good communication skills.
- Self-motivated with ability to work independently on own initiative
- Willing to learn new skills
- Methodical and thorough approach to work activities
- Self-organised
- Good attention to detail
- oAble to work under pressure
- oAble to follow instructions from other team members
- oPhysically able to assist in moving and positioning people and equipment.
Desirable
Behavioural Skills
Essential
- Prepared to adjust working hours to suit clinics
- Methodical and thorough approach to work activities
- Self-organised
Technical Skills
Essential
- oCompetent in Microsoft Office applications
- oExcellent dexterity
Desirable
- oExperience in CAD/CAM systems
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Good English and maths.
- NVQ Level 2 Engineering
Desirable
- Qualification in engineering
- BTEC level 2 Engineering.
Experience
Essential
- oPractical approach to problem solving.
- oskilled in the use of hand held power tools independantly.
- oSkilled in the use of mechanical workshop equipment independently.
- oProven ability to manufacture or assemble components to tight deadlines.
Desirable
- Working with people with disabilities
- Understanding of disability issues
- oCompetent and experienced in the manufacture of foam and Lynx seating systems.
- oKnowledge of wheelchairs and seating components
Skills
Essential
- Good communication skills.
- Self-motivated with ability to work independently on own initiative
- Willing to learn new skills
- Methodical and thorough approach to work activities
- Self-organised
- Good attention to detail
- oAble to work under pressure
- oAble to follow instructions from other team members
- oPhysically able to assist in moving and positioning people and equipment.
Desirable
Behavioural Skills
Essential
- Prepared to adjust working hours to suit clinics
- Methodical and thorough approach to work activities
- Self-organised
Technical Skills
Essential
- oCompetent in Microsoft Office applications
- oExcellent dexterity
Desirable
- oExperience in CAD/CAM systems
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
